Monash University Handbook 2011 Postgraduate - Course

Students may nominate the area in which they wish to pursue their research, in any of the principal areas of research in the broad field of pharmaceutical science. Project availability is conditional upon the availability of materials, equipment and supervisors. Students are advised to consult with a potential supervisor regarding their choice of topic.

Upon completion of this course students should be able to:

• produce a thesis that displays competence at understanding and carrying out research in the field of pharmaceutical science (but with less emphasis on comprehensive knowledge and originality as required in a PhD)
• devise a research topic to investigate a particular pharmaceutical science research area
• identify key research questions that are not too general and ambitious
• select and review relevant theory and literature
• design a study and choose appropriate methods to investigate the specific research questions
• select appropriate modes of analysis
• consider ethical issues involved in research
• implement, critically appraise or apply research in a particular field
• prepare a comprehensive written report that is professionally presented and contains all the required components of a masters thesis, including a bibliography.

Assessment is by 100 per cent thesis, the length of which would not normally exceed 20,000 words. The thesis can be submitted following not less than 12 and not more than 24 months of study.

Students enrol in the appropriate research unit relevant to their field:

• PRU0001 Research in medicinal chemistry
• PRU0002 Research in pharmacology
• PRU0003 Research in pharmaceutics
• PRU0004 Research in pharmacy practice

Master of Pharmaceutical Science